Fazoli's Takes Breadsticks on Tour

Supports Feed The Children with Stops in 15 Markets

LEXINGTON, Ky., June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Americans love Fazoli's breadsticks. In fact, they're so popular that the Italian restaurant chain makes more than 100,000,000 every year. This summer, Fazoli's will leverage the passion people have for its breadsticks to help an important national cause. Fazoli's and Feed The Children, a non-profit hunger relief organization, have come together for the Fazoli's Breadstick Tour, making stops in 15 markets to raise awareness of and funds for childhood hunger. The tour officially kicks off in Lexington, KY on June 21 as the Breadstick Express, a customized food truck capable of baking hundreds of breadsticks, rolls into town.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120618/DC26160)

More than 16 million American children are at risk of hunger according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In each city along the route, volunteers from Feed The Children will hand out breadsticks and flyers in downtown areas, neighborhood parks, and at local events. The goal is to encourage people to make a donation to Feed The Children by stopping by a participating Fazoli's restaurant. In return, Fazoli's will provide them with a coupon for $5 off any Family Meal purchase.

Those who haven't been into Fazoli's recently will notice that things have changed. The restaurant has enhanced its dining room service with fresh new decor, table service, and the use of real plates and forks. These improvements, along with unlimited breadsticks and a fresh new menu, have created a whole new Fazoli's.

Fazoli's uniquely wrapped food truck, covered bumper to bumper in breadsticks, will create buzz traveling along our country's highways and city streets. You'll also be able to follow the tour online. A tab on www.facebook.com/fazolis will update fans on the tour stops. Breadstick Ambassadors, who will be driving the food truck, will also tweet and post pictures on Facebook.

Cathy Hull, Fazoli's Chief Marketing Officer, believes the Fazoli's Breadstick Tour will make the summer of 2012 better for many children. "Fazoli's is a place where families can go to enjoy a meal together," said Hull. "We are committed to helping families who are less fortunate as well. Reaching out and handing a person a breadstick is the simplest way to convey our commitment to childhood hunger."

After the kickoff in Lexington, the Fazoli's Breadstick Tour will head to Dayton. The tour will then go to Indianapolis, Evansville, Paducah, Kansas City, St. Louis, Colorado Springs, Denver, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines, Madison, and Green Bay. It will finish up in South Bend on August 14.

Tony Sellars, Feed The Children's Director of Communications, is excited about the tour. "In the summer, people don't think about childhood hunger," said Sellars. "But, this is the time when the need is the greatest because school is out and school lunches are not available. The Fazoli's Breadstick Tour will raise awareness that the need is great."

Founded in 1979, Feed The Children is consistently ranked as one of the largest international charities in the U.S., based on private, non-government support. Feed The Children is a 501(c) (3) international, nonprofit relief organization with headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that delivers food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to individuals, children and families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty or natural disasters. In FY 2011, Feed The Children distributed more than 104 million pounds of food and other essentials to children and their families in all 50 states and internationally.

Fazoli's is a leading, next generation QSR. With a new premium menu featuring freshly prepared Italian entrees, Submarinos® sandwiches and salads, a contemporary new restaurant design and fresh leadership, Fazoli's is expanding in select markets throughout the country. Founded in Lexington, Ky. in 1989, Sun Capital Partners acquired Fazoli's in 2006.

Contact:
Lisa Sweeney
Brokaw Inc.
614-570-5757

John McCauley
Brokaw Inc.
440.263.3964
[email protected]

SOURCE Fazoli's